Randy James Nix

Randy James Nix was born in Gastonia, NC, on August 6th, 1952. The second child and first son of James Columbus Nix and his wife, Ruby Mae Nix (nee Brown), Randy had an older sister, Vicki, born in December 1949. Randy’s father was in the newly formed US Air Force and was stationed in England at the time of his birth. April 21, 1953, Ruby departed from New York City with 3-year-old Vicki and 8-month-old Randy to join James in England; they traveled on the Neptunia, arriving in Southampton, England, on May 1.

By the time his brother Ken was born in July 1958, the Air Force had stationed them in Sumter, South Carolina. James’s duties provided Randy with the opportunity to live in Turkey; Wichita Falls, Texas; back in Gastonia while his father was overseas; and, for all of high school, Phoenix, AZ, where Randy graduated from Dysart HS in 1970. More importantly, while his family was stationed at Luke Air Force Base, a 15-year-old Randy met Susan Jenkins – also 15. They became high school sweethearts. Randy played on the football, baseball and basketball teams while Susan performed on the Pom Pom squad at games.

After time apart the first year following graduation, Randy and Susan reconnected over the phone, and Susan, James, Ruby, Ken, and Vicki, with her toddler son, James, in tow drove from Phoenix to join Randy in Gastonia, and Susan Ann Jenkins became Susan Jenkins Nix on June 25, 1971.

Randy and Susan began their married life in Gastonia where Randy was working as a journeyman plumber and Susan got to know many members of the Nix and Brown families. Once Susan became pregnant with their first child, the couple decided to continue the family tradition of military service and Randy enlisted in the Air Force, leaving Gastonia in April 1972 for basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Their first duty station was Charleston Air Force Base, SC, where they remained for 5 years – allowing all three of their daughters to be born there – Randi Lei in August 1972, Melissa Ann in October 1974, and Vaun Marie in 1977. Randy spent 20 years in the Air Force – serving two solo assignments in Korea and taking Susan and the girls with him while he served at Offutt AFB, Omaha, NE; another tour in Charleston; Lajes Air Field, Terceira, Azores (Portugal); Dyess AFB in Abilene, TX and retiring from the Air Force from Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs Colorado in 1992.

Through his military career, Randy enjoyed playing on various intra mural teams – most regularly softball and basketball when living in the Azores. Randy began his service in the Civil Engineering Squadron as a plumber, later cross training into bioenvironmental engineering in the Hospital Squadron where he spent some time as the squadron’s First Sergeant.

Upon leaving the Air Force, Randy began his second career working at Texas Tech in Bio-environmental Engineering, rising to serve as the Director until his retirement in 2012. While working at Tech, Randy used his GI bill benefits and military training to complete a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Engineering at Wayland Baptist University (1994).

Randy had a lifelong passion for learning and sports. He especially enjoyed music – having very eclectic taste – and reading in many genres.

Randy passed away January 30th, 2026, at 73. Randy was preceded in death by his father James (1999), his sister Vicki (2010) and his mother, Ruby (2011), as well as many beloved aunts and uncles.

Randy is survived by his wife Susan, his daughters, Randi Soward (Larry), Melissa Abbey (Rob), Vaun Murphrey (Brent), his grandchildren: Alex, Christian, Nick (Katie), Evan, Kerowyn, RJ, Little Randy, his favorite cousin Steve Dobbins (Lynelle), and his brother Ken Nix (BJ), as well as several step-grandchildren and many step-great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Resthaven in Lubbock on February 4 at 10 am with internment March 30 also at Resthaven.